Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Broadcaster Ryan Clark prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Ryan Clark walked back and apologized Thursday for comments he made following Monday Nigh Football about former LSU football wide receiver Kyren Lacy.

Clark ― an LSU alum ― hailed Lacy's innocence in a car accident in December 2024 that resulted in the death of 78-year-old veteran Herman Hall. Clark's comments came after Lacy's attorney presented video evidence claiming Lacy was nearly 100 yards behind the scene of the accident, despite being charged with multiple felonies.

"We can never repair or replace the pain that his parents have to feel and his loved ones have to feel, but we can say his name," Clark said Oct. 6 on 'SportsCenter' after MNF. "There were so many stations that ran with the fact that he was being investigated, so I wanted to make sure, here with Scott (Van Pelt), we can say that he was an innocent man and at least know that he has that as he rests."

In response to Lacy's lawyer's claims, the Louisaiana State Police released new video evidence that countered the claims and showed Lacy's reckless driving of his lime green Dodge Charger was likely a factor in the crash which led to a death.

Two days before Lacy was supposed to face a grand jury hearing, police were called to the home of a family member who got into a fight with Lacy. Lacy fled the scene, but crashed his car upon being chased by authorities. When searching his vehicle, authorities found Lacy had appeared to have a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Two lives have been lost. Herman Hall, a man who spent his life in service of others, and Kyren Lacy, a young man I wish I could tell how much he had to live for. My heart absolutely breaks for both of them, their families and their loved ones," Clark said Thursday morning on ESPN's 'First Take'. "In full transparency, I knew Kyren Lacy personally. But nothing matters to me more than the truth. I always strive to do my best to mix authenticity with the most complete and up-to-date information available. I failed to do that Monday night based on the subsequent evidence that has been released by the Louisiana State Police Department.

I set the highest standards of fairness and, most importantly, righteousness in my work. I didn’t meet that standard. But since, I’ve spoken to Kyren’s representation at length, and I’ve also reached out to a representative at the State Police office just to have a conversation. They informed me this morning that because it’s ongoing litigation, they actually can’t divulge anything else. It’s always important to me that I gather all factual and important information to provide the complete story. That’s a responsibility that I do not take lightly. And when discussed in real time Monday evening, I failed to do so. And for that, I apologize.”

After beginning his career at Louisiana, Lacy transferred to LSU before the 2022 season. He finished his career 2,360 yards and 26 touchdowns on 162 career receptions, with 112 catches for 1,628 yards and 16 touchdowns as a Tiger. Lacy posted a career-high 58 catches for 866 yards and nine scores as a senior in 2024.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ryan Clark apologizes for Kyren Lacy innocence statement after police release new video

Reporting by Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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